50th Anniversary

In 1966, Br. John Driscoll and Br. James Leik opened a college to give the Brothers of Holy Cross an affordable place to further their education. They had no idea what the future would hold, only that a school was needed, and as Brothers, their calling was to cultivate the hearts and minds of their students.

It didn’t take long for this little school in Notre Dame, Indiana, to interest other students from the community, and before long, Holy Cross Junior College was home to Brothers, men, and women from South Bend, the Midwest, the country, and the world. These students might have had a range of backgrounds, but they were all looking for a place where they could find community, knowledge, and faith. For decades, these students took what they learned at Holy Cross into the world to work or to another school like Saint Mary’s College or the University of Notre Dame to further their education.

Over the years, the Brothers responded to the needs of their students with new dorms, new academic space, and expanded infrastructure. In 2002, HCJC became a four-year college, changed its name to Holy Cross College and began granting bachelor’s degrees. Even with this change, though, Holy Cross has stayed true to its mission by giving its students a practical, holistic, liberal arts education to prepare them for their future success.

This year, Holy Cross celebrates its 50th anniversary of transforming hearts and minds through faculty who know and care for each of their students, close-knit friendships formed in a small campus community, meaningful social and service opportunities expanded by access to three campuses, and an academic experience that spans global and local perspectives.

Join us as we honor the past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future.